REPORT TO ARTS COMMISSION: Data Initiative Focused on Regional Impact of Arts Funding
A report regarding a data gathering initiative to show the region-wide impact of arts organizations funded by the CRD Arts Service.
REPORT TO ARTS COMMISSION MEETING OF WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
SUBJECT: Data Initiative Focused on Regional Impact of Arts Funding
ISSUE SUMMARY
On May 22, 2024, the Arts Commission discussed the possibility of additional data gathering initiatives with the aim of collecting evidence that shows the region-wide impact of arts organizations funded by the Arts and Culture Support Service (the "Arts Service").
BACKGROUND
On May 22, 2024, the Arts Commission discussed options for collecting and distributing data related to audience participation and how it could be used to show that people from across the region benefit from arts activities funded by the Arts Service.
In its 2023 annual report, the Royal & McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) published data on regional distribution of ticket buyers for each venue: the Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse (excerpted in Appendix A). This data includes both commercial and non-profit presenters. While not directly aligned to Arts Service funding, it shows that arts events held at these venues attract audiences from across the region.
In the 2020 Progress Report for the Arts Service, a data visualization map was included that showed the distribution of ticket buyers in 2018-19 for the Belfry Theatre and for the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse (combined, similar to 2023 RMTS annual report data), as a percentage of total ticket buyers (Appendix B).
In the 1990s, as part of the advocacy to move toward a regional arts funding model, the Victoria Symphony provided data through the ProArt Alliance, including a regional breakdown of where its subscribers lived. This showed that a majority of subscribers lived outside of the City of Victoria and the organization had supporters across the region.
Major arts organizations have existing databases of ticket buyers, season subscribers, and members (Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, for instance) that include location data. This existing data can be aggregated to remove identifying personal information and focus on the number/percentage of arts participants according to municipality / electoral area. These organizations have signaled willingness to collaborate with CRD staff on similar data projects.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1 That staff collaborate with arts organizations through data sharing agreements to gather aggregate audience participation data and report back on findings at the annual check-in on the Arts Service's strategic plan scheduled for January 2024.
Alternative 2 That this report be referred back to staff for additional information.
Document Images
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